I am a student in India about to finish a 5 year integrated MS in Software Engineering. I want to get into the games industry as a programmer. I have already done quite a bit of programming in my course. However, in terms of graphics and AI, I have little or no exposure. To rectify this and to better prepare myself, I am looking for a good masters course in games programming or games development. I have narrowed my search down to a few courses and was hoping someone would help me choose. Further, with regards to location, which country (US or UK) would be more suitable for undertaking such a course in? In my search, I have found many specific courses in the UK and rather vague or broader ones in the US. Would taking up a course in the UK hinder my chances of working elsewhere? These are the following courses I have shortlisted,

1) MSc Games Programming - University of Hull
2) Msc Game Engineering - Newcastle University
3) Msc Computer Games Technology - University of Abertay Dundee
4) MS Computer Science(Game Development) - University of Southern California
5) MS Games Design and Development - Rochester Institute of Technology

Any advice or other suggestions would be much appreciated. Also, since the industry is nascent in India, can anyone recommend some online projects I can participate in to build my portfolio?

Suitable in terms of post-graduation prospects and general industry recognition. Would I necessarily be at an advantage if I studied in America, due to the concentration of games studios in that part of the world?

I don't quite know what to make of that. My biggest concern is twiddling my thumbs after 6/7 years of college. Which is why I'm seeking quality education.

Out of all the Universities you have looked, how many can actually you afford (especially the ones in the US)? After completing the course, what issues will you have with work permits/visas and working in that country if that was an option?

Out of all the Universities you have looked, how many can actually you afford (especially the ones in the US)? After completing the course, what issues will you have with work permits/visas and working in that country if that was an option?

Let's assume that I can afford any of the courses. If this is the case, which would be the best bet? As for visa/work permits, I cannot do much about that except present a strong case.

As for visa/work permits, I cannot do much about that except present a strong case.

Yes you can do something about this. You can look at the processes involved to get a visa in each country and work out which ones are more likely to award you with one.

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Let's assume that I can afford any of the courses. If this is the case, which would be the best bet?

Out of that list, I only have experience with one of them and you are going to find this is the same with anyone. This is why I was asking for any possible restrictions to narrow down your choices (which is also the reason why I linked to Skillset). At the very least, narrow down to which country you want to study in other wise you may as well be asking what is the best food to eat.

1) MSc Games Programming - University of Hull
2) Msc Game Engineering - Newcastle University
3) Msc Computer Games Technology - University of Abertay Dundee
4) MS Computer Science(Game Development) - University of Southern California
5) MS Games Design and Development - Rochester Institute of Technology

U of Southern Cal has a fantastic program, as does UC Santa Cruz (large faculty in games studies as well). RIT has a great program tho may be less focused on games studies and more on general usability (not that familiar with the program but know a few people there).

Univ of Wisconsin Madison has a fantastic game studies department. Georgia Tech. I'm currently at the School of Interactive Arts and Tech at Simon Frasier Univ in Vancouver. The school is a diverse interdisciplinary program but there are 3 game studies faculty.

Really, for post grad you want to find a faculty member that is doing what you want to do and hook up with them.